Free-flying Ground Testbed for Dynamics and Control of Tethered Spacecraft

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The objective of this experimental program is to design and build a free-flying ground testbed capable of testing the dynamic behavior of tethered spacecraft and its response to control actions in an emulated space environment of zero gravity. This highly focused experimental program will lead to validation of the dynamic model and stability control law of tethered spacecraft, tether deployment and recovery technology, and smart structure actuator technology. The dynamics and control theory of tethered spacecraft is very complex mostly due to their multidisciplinary and multiscale nature. Due to the prohibitive cost for validation in space, the proposed ground testbed will provide cost-effective testing facility in an emulated space environment and shed light on the complex issues encountered in the analysis and design of the tethered spacecraft system in order to discover some fundamental issues that may be overlooked by existing theories. The space tether technology has a great potential in space exploration, for instance, the electrodynamic tether for power generation and deorbit of space debris, the creation of artificial gravity in spacecraft by rotation of two tethered spacecraft, the low-flying tethered probe for precision Earth observation, the spacecraft formation flying to achieve missions with smaller spacecraft, and the electronic solar sail for interplanetary exploration. The proposed equipment will train HQP in experimental design, electronic hardware, wireless communication, software programming, data acquisition and processing, computer vision, and dynamics and control of tethered multi-body system and smart structure actuators. These hands-on experiences and practical skills will also make HQP more competitive in job market.